Table with removable top

ABSTRACT

An improved support member for use with a table having a frame comprising a table perimeter portion defining an opening, and a channel portion located at least partially within the opening and substantially adjacent the table perimeter portion. The support member comprises a support portion and a lower anchor portion, and is configured to support a table top having a peripheral edge. The upper support portion of the support member supports the table top adjacent the peripheral edge, and the lower anchor portion of the support member is received by the channel portion of the table frame. As such, the present invention provides an improved table top support member for use with table tops made of relatively brittle materials, such as glass. Unlike prior art table top supports, the table top support member of the present invention provides continuous support adjacent the peripheral edge. Additionally, the anchor portion of the support member may also be anchored to the channel portion along its length such that the table top support member remains attached to the table frame when the table top is removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to furniture in general, and more particularly to tables that include removable table tops, such as tables that include glass table tops.

2) Description of Related Art

There are various characteristics that are important in the design and manufacture of an item of furniture. For example, many items of furniture, aside from purely decorative items, are designed to bear a certain load, such as the weight of a person sitting in a chair or the weight of items supported by a bookshelf. As such, manufacturers choose structures and materials that are designed to achieve a certain level of performance. However, this performance must be balanced with other practical considerations, such as aesthetic appeal and cost.

In order to produce an item of furniture that creates a desired level of aesthetic appeal, many furniture manufacturers experiment with the use of different materials. Some have found that by using a combination of materials, an item of furniture may be created that has a broader scope of aesthetic appeal. Examples of different materials used by furniture manufacturers include metal, wood, glass, and plastic materials, as well as composite materials. When using a combination of materials for a particular furniture design, furniture manufacturers must ensure that these different materials are compatible such they perform at a desired level while maintaining their aesthetical appeal.

Relatively brittle materials are a commonly used in conjunction with other materials in the design of items of furniture. For example, glass is often used as a table top surface. Some manufacturers have found that glass is a desired material for this use because it is easy to clean and aesthetically pleasing. However, many materials that are used for the frame of the table (including metal, wood, plastic, and composite materials) are capable of damaging the glass. As a result, some furniture manufacturers commonly use a handful of small rubber “bumper” pads that are attached, often with an adhesive, to the table frame, in between the frame and the glass surface. In this manner, the small bumper pads provide a discrete number of support points for the glass surface.

This solution suffers from several problems. For example, by providing discrete points of contact between the glass table top and the table frame, areas between the rubber pads remain unsupported and thus allow the glass table top edge to bend when loaded. Additionally, these small bumper pads often become dislodged when the table top is removed, thus resulting in an unsupported or unevenly supported table top when placed back on the frame.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved table top support for use with a table having a relatively brittle table top. The support should be capable of supporting an area adjacent the edges of the table top in a non-discrete manner. The support should also be sufficiently anchored to the frame such that the support remains attached to the table when the table top is removed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention achieves the above objectives and others by providing a table having an improved table top support member that may be used to support a relatively brittle table top. As will be described in more detail below, unlike prior art table top supports, the table top support member of the present invention provides continuous support adjacent a peripheral edge of the table top. The support member may also be anchored to a frame of the table so that the support member remains attached to the table when the table top is removed.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a table having a frame comprising a table perimeter portion defining an opening, at least one leg supporting the table perimeter portion in a horizontal orientation, and a channel portion located within the opening and joined to the inside perimeter of the table perimeter portion, the channel portion including a mounting slot or opening in the top surface thereof. The table also includes an elongate elastomeric support member having an upper support portion and a lower anchor portion, and a removable table top receivable in the frame opening and having a peripheral edge, wherein the anchor portion of the support member is received in the mounting slot or opening of the channel portion of the frame, and wherein the support member extends substantially continuously about the perimeter of the opening such that the table top is continuously supported by the support portion of the support member substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the table top. In one embodiment, the anchor portion of the support member is substantially captured within the channel portion. In another embodiment, the mounting slot or opening in the top surface of the channel portion comprises a pair of oppositely directed lateral slots, and wherein the upper support portion of the support member has a cross-section comprising a horizontal top side and a pair of lateral sides generally perpendicular to the top side, and the lower anchor portion of the support member has a first lip portion extending into one of the lateral slots and a second lip portion extending into the other of the lateral slots. In another embodiment, the one of the lateral slots and the first lip portion have mating rectangular cross sections, and wherein the other of the lateral slots and the second lip portion have mating triangular cross sections so as to define a chamfer for aiding in installing the support member into the mounting slot or opening of the channel portion. In another embodiment, the channel portion has a rectangular tube cross section with an elongate slot in the top surface thereof, and wherein the upper support portion of the support member comprises a frustum cross-section with a horizontal top side, oppositely directed lateral sides, and a horizontal bottom side, and the lower anchor portion of the support member has an inverted frustum cross-section with a horizontal top side, oppositely directed lateral sides, and a horizontal bottom side, and wherein the support member further comprises a neck portion that extends between and connects the support portion and the anchor portion. In another embodiment, the lower anchor portion of the support member is received in the elongate slot such that the upper support portion of the support member is located above the top surface of the channel portion and the neck portion is adjacent the elongate slot. In another embodiment, the table top is constructed substantially of glass. In another embodiment the support member is constructed of a unitary piece. In another embodiment, the support member is constructed of at least two elongate pieces and wherein the pieces are located end-to-end and together extend substantially continuously about the perimeter of the opening in order to continuously support the table top upon the upper support portion of the support member substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the table top. In another embodiment, the table perimeter portion, the channel portion, and the support member generally define rectangular shapes. In yet another embodiment, the table perimeter portion, the channel portion, and the support member generally define circular shapes.

Thus, in various embodiments, the present invention provides an improved support for supporting a relatively brittle table top. In one aspect, the support is capable of supporting an area adjacent the peripheral edge of the table top in a non-discrete manner. In another aspect, the support is sufficiently anchored to the frame such that the support remains attached to the table when the table top is removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table having a glass table top in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a support member being installed into the channel portion of a table frame in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross section view showing a channel portion, a support member, and a table top in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial section view showing a channel portion, a support member, and a table top in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded partial cross section view showing a channel portion, a support member, and a table top in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1-3 show a table 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the table 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a frame 11 and a removable table top 12 which rests upon and is supported by the frame 11. In the depicted embodiment, the frame 11 includes a table perimeter portion 13, legs 14 supporting the table perimeter portion 13 in a horizontal orientation, and a channel portion 15. Although in various embodiments of the present invention, a table may include at least one leg, the table 10 in the depicted embodiment includes four legs 14. In the depicted embodiment, the table frame 11 is constructed of a metal material, specifically stainless steel, however in various other embodiments, the frame 11 may be made of any material that is known in the art of furniture design to be used for table frames, including but not limited to metal, wood, plastic, composite materials, or combinations thereof. The table top 12 of the depicted embodiment includes a peripheral edge 16 extending around the outer boundary of the table top 12. The table top 12 of the depicted embodiment comprises a tempered glass material, however, in various other embodiments, the table top 12 may be made of any relatively brittle material that is known in the art of furniture design to be used for table tops including, but not limited to stained glass, ceramic materials, or slate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the table frame 11 of the depicted embodiment includes a horizontal table perimeter portion 13. In the depicted embodiment, the perimeter portion 13 defines an opening 17. The channel portion 15 is integrally joined to the inside boundary of the perimeter portion 13 so as to extend laterally into the opening 17 and about the entire perimeter of the opening 17. An elongate elastomeric support member 18, which will be described in more detail below, is received by the channel portion 15. When assembled, the removable table top 12 is located inside the opening of the table frame 11 and provides the top surface of the table 10. In various embodiments, the support member 18 serves as an interface between the relatively brittle table top 12 and the table frame 11. Although in the depicted embodiment, the perimeter portion 13, the channel portion 15, and the support member 18 generally define rectangular shapes, it should be noted that in various other embodiments, these components alone, or in combination, may take any general shape that is known in the art of furniture design, including, but not limited to, circular shapes, elliptical shapes, or combinations thereof.

In the depicted embodiment, the support member 18 is constructed of a unitary piece of elastomeric material. Such materials include, but are not limited to various natural or synthetic rubbers. Elastomeric materials provide a cushioning interface that protects the table top from damage from the table frame. The support member 18 includes an upper support portion 19 and a lower anchor portion 20. In various embodiments, the upper support portion 19 supports the table top 12 and the lower anchor portion 20 is received by the channel portion 15 of the frame 11. As noted above and as will be discussed in more detail below, unlike prior art table top supports, in which a table top was supported by a number of small support pads, the support member 18 of the depicted embodiment provides continuous support for the table top 12 substantially adjacent the peripheral edge 16. By providing continuous support for the table top 12, rather than discrete points of support, the support member 18 provides evenly distributed support to the table top 12 in the area adjacent the peripheral edge 16. As a result, the table top 12 is not as susceptible to bending and damage when loaded. It should be noted that in other embodiments of the present invention, the support member 18 need not be a unitary piece in order to provide continuous support for the table top 12, and thus may comprise two or more individual pieces that are located end-to-end in order to continuously support the table top 12 substantially adjacent the peripheral edge 16.

A cross section view of a portion of the table 10 is shown in FIG. 3. The depicted embodiment shows the table top 12, the support member 18, the perimeter portion 13, and the channel portion 15. In the depicted embodiment, the perimeter portion 13 and the channel portion 15 are hollow tubes of rectangular cross section. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower anchor portion 20 is configured to be captured by the channel portion 15. As shown in the figure, the channel portion 15 includes a mounting slot or opening 21 in a top surface. In the depicted embodiment, the slot or opening 21 is an elongate slot extending along the top surface of the channel portion 15. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, the support member 18 includes an upper support portion 19 having a frustum cross-section with a horizontal top side 22, oppositely directed lateral sides 23, and a horizontal bottom side 24. The support member 18 also includes a lower anchor portion 20 that has an inverted frustum cross-section with a horizontal top side 25, oppositely directed lateral sides 26, and a horizontal bottom side 27. A neck portion 28 extends between and connects the upper support portion 19 and the lower anchor portion 20. As shown in the figure, the support member 18 is installed into the channel portion 15 by inserting the lower anchor portion 20 of the support member 18 into the mounting slot or opening 21 of the channel portion 15. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the configuration of the upper support portion 19 and the lower anchor portion 20 may vary depending on specific applications. For example, the dimensions of the support portion 19 or the anchor portion 20 may vary depending on the configuration of the perimeter portion 13 or the channel portion 15. In the depicted embodiment, the lower anchor portion 19 of the support member 18 is inserted into the mounting slot or opening 21 in the channel portion 15 so that the neck portion 28 is located adjacent the mounting slot or opening 21 in order to capture the support member 18 within the channel portion 15 of the frame 11. As a result, unlike the prior art in which small support pads are commonly dislodged when removing a table top 12, by fully securing the support member 18 to the frame, the present invention remains secured to the frame 11 when the table top 12 is removed from the table 10.

As noted above, the particular physical geometry of the channel portion 15 and the support member 18 depicted in FIG. 3 are for illustration purposes only, and thus it should be understood that other configurations are possible that are capable of supporting the table top 12 and locating the anchor portion 19 of the support member 18 in the channel portion 15 of the frame 11. For example, FIGS. 4 and 5 show a cross section of a table top 12, a support member 18, a perimeter portion 13, and a channel portion 15 joined to the inside perimeter of the table perimeter portion 13 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, the support member 18 has a support portion 19 and an anchor portion 20. In the depicted embodiment, the support member 18 has a cross-section comprising an upper support portion 19 with a horizontal top side 29 and a pair of lateral sides 30 generally perpendicular to the top side 29. The lower anchor portion 20 has a first lip portion 31 and a second lip portion 32. The first lip portion 31 has a rectangular cross section defined by a horizontal bottom side 33, a first lateral side 34 generally perpendicular to the bottom side 33, and a horizontal intermediate side 35 generally perpendicular to the first lateral side 34. The second lip portion 32 has a triangular cross section defined by the horizontal bottom side 33, and a second lateral side 36. Thus, the second lip portion creates a chamfer that may aid in the installation of the support member 18 into the mounting slot or opening 21 of the channel portion 15. As demonstrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the physical geometry of the lower anchor portion 20 may be complementary to that of the channel portion 15. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the channel portion 15 of the depicted embodiment includes a pair of oppositely directed lateral slots 38, 39. The slots 38, 39 complement the geometry of the first lip portion 31 and the second lip portion 32 of the support member 18, respectively. When installed, the first lip portion 31 extends into the first lateral slot 38 and the second lip portion 32 extends into the second lateral slot 39. For these embodiments, the use of an elastomeric material for the support member 18 is advantageous because it allows the support member 18 to deform in order to install the support member into the channel portion 15.

As described above, the present invention provides an improved table top support for use with relatively brittle table tops, such as glass table tops. Unlike prior art table top supports, the table top support of the present invention provides continuous support adjacent a peripheral edge of the table top. Additionally, the support may also be anchored along its length to the frame of the table so that the table top support member remains attached to the table frame when the table top is removed.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A table comprising: a frame comprising: a table perimeter portion having an inside perimeter which defines an opening; at least one leg supporting said table perimeter portion in a horizontal orientation; and a channel portion located within said opening and joined to said inside perimeter of said table perimeter portion, said channel portion including a mounting slot or opening in a top surface thereof; an elongate elastomeric support member having an upper support portion and a lower anchor portion with said lower anchor portion being received in said mounting slot or opening of said channel portion; and a removable table top receivable in said frame opening and having a peripheral edge, wherein said support member extends substantially continuously about said perimeter of said opening such that said table top is continuously supported upon said upper support portion of said support member substantially adjacent said peripheral edge of said table top.
 2. The table of claim 1, wherein said lower anchor portion of said support member is substantially captured within said channel portion.
 3. The table of claim 2, wherein said mounting slot or opening in said top surface of said channel portion comprises a pair of oppositely directed lateral slots, and wherein said upper support portion of said support member has a cross-section comprising a horizontal top side and a pair of lateral sides generally perpendicular to said top side, and said lower anchor portion of said support member has a first lip portion extending into one of said lateral slots and a second lip portion extending into the other of said lateral slots.
 4. The table of claim 3, wherein said one of said lateral slots and said first lip portion have mating rectangular cross sections, and wherein said other of said lateral slots and said second lip portion have mating triangular cross sections so as to define a chamfer for aiding in installing said support member into said mounting slot or opening of said channel portion.
 5. The table of claim 2, wherein said channel portion has a rectangular tube cross section with an elongate slot in said top surface thereof, and wherein said upper support portion of said support member comprises a frustum cross-section with a horizontal top side, oppositely directed lateral sides, and a horizontal bottom side, and said lower anchor portion of said support member has an inverted frustum cross-section with a horizontal top side, oppositely directed lateral sides, and a horizontal bottom side, and wherein said support member further comprises a neck portion that extends between and connects said upper support portion and said lower anchor portion.
 6. The table of claim 5, wherein said lower anchor portion of said support member is received in said elongate slot such that said upper support portion of said support member is located above said top surface of said channel portion and said neck portion is adjacent said elongate slot.
 7. The table of claim 1, wherein said table top is constructed substantially of glass.
 8. The table of claim 1, wherein said support member is constructed of a unitary piece.
 9. The table of claim 1, wherein said support member is constructed of at least two elongate pieces and wherein said pieces are located end-to-end and together extend substantially continuously about said perimeter of said opening in order to continuously support said table top upon said upper support portion of said support member substantially adjacent said peripheral edge of said table top.
 10. The table of claim 1, wherein said table perimeter portion, said channel portion, and said support member generally define rectangular shapes.
 11. The table of claim 1, wherein said table perimeter portion, said channel portion, and said support member generally define circular shapes. 